Thursday, May 31, 2018

We are now subscribers to Film Struck, which gives us access to hundreds of films, foreign and classic Hollywood. This was the first film we watched. (Well, we watched PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK first but we had already seen that one)

Le Chat is based on a Georges Simenon novel and stars Jean Gabin and Simone Signoret. It is the story of a toxic marriage playing out in an apartment that has been condemned. We watch the machinery taking down everything around the unhappy couple's home and wonder if they can outrun it and themselves. A sad movie, but well, such is Simenon.

Such a choice on Film Struck. It costs about the same as HBO but there is no comparison in the choices of films.

Monday, May 28, 2018

We enjoyed listening to Kevin play his guitar at Freddy's on Saturday. The kids seem to have a fun time playing. It is mostly heavy metal sort of music but they usually do one or two from our sort of music.

Enjoying STEALING THE SHOW by Joy Press, about female-led shows (MURPHY BROWN, ROSEANNE, etc). This refers to the show-runner more than the star. Also reading THAT KIND OF MOTHER by Rumaan Alam. Maybe Philip Roth had trouble with creating real female characters, but Rumaan does not.
It got hot here. Skipped right over spring as usual. The flowering trees are coming to an end. May is the most gorgeous month here. No contest.
Admired more than liked THE RIDER. Too much about breaking in horses and rodeos for me.

Friday, May 25, 2018

(from the archives) le0pard13 is the
internet moniker of a father of two, spouse to one, who blogs out of The
City of the Angels. He owns a first edition copy of the book below and
one day hopes to have the author autograph for him.

The Ninth Configuration, by William Peter Blatty (Harper & Row 1978)

Just say the name, William Peter Blatty.
It does have its own sense of meter as it rolls off the tongue, now
doesn't it? You'll most likely recognize it, too. Just the same, saying
it three times in front of a mirror won’t cause anything bad to happen,
either -- contrary to urban legend. If you love books and reading,
whether you are a baby boomer or Generation X, Y, or even Z, odds-on
you've heard of him. Such is the legacy of authoring a horror novel as
famous as 1971's The Exorcist (which would go on to even greater
notoriety when it was adapted to the screen in 1973's film of the
novel). However, along with the popularity and fame for a book that
became an all-encompassing event, it can be too much of good thing.
'Event' novels can take on a life of their own, and they can build to
the point that all other work by the same author lies in its shadow.
Obscured because they are not anything like that book. Such was
the consequence for the next novel by author Blatty that it seemed to
fall by the wayside when it was published in 1978. That forgotten, but
wonderful, piece of elegant writing was, The Ninth Configuration.

What was released that year actually germinated from a hasty 1966 novel titled, Twinkle, Twinkle, Killer Kane! From his author's note: "Its
basic concept was surely the best I have ever created, but what was
published was just as surely no more than the notes for a novel -- some sketches, unformed, unfinished, lacking even a plot."
Luckily, for those of us who read the re-envisioned work in the late
70's (and those who would go on to discover and appreciate
it decades later), it is an overlooked book worth remembering.
Ironically, WPB has said more than once he considers it his unofficial
sequel to The Exorcist. Although The Ninth Configuration
shares a very loose connection (via an unnamed character) from that
novel, the genre and plot line couldn't be more divergent. Plus, it
works whether or not you've read the legendary blockbuster that preceded
it.

The novel's story centers upon a select small group of military men secluded away with what are believed to be inexplicable
mental disorders. Or, being highly intelligent men, they could be
faking it--which could be the reason nothing has worked and why they
continue their stay at a decaying Gothic mansion. Their treatment, and
sanity, ultimately hinges upon one Marine Colonel Kane (a psychiatrist
who may have his own issues) brought to the sheltered facility to seek the answers in the most unexpected
of ways. Blatty crafts the story as a mystery to be solved, planting
its seeds in the unusual interactions that take place. The author’s
dialogue between the patients and staff are quite purpose-built, madcap,
and unexpected. I cannot describe it any better than what a good friend
wrote in a review of his, "Because the story is relatively brief, no
words are wasted in an attempt to be lyrical or poetic. Yet somehow
there are moments of utter poetry in the exchanges between doctor and
patients, and in Kane's own introspective reasonings." While the
material covered is meaty, it is one of the few novels that made be
laugh out loud, and had my eyes welling by the time I finished it.

One could describe WPB
as an author who writes eloquent, thought provoking fiction that draws
in his readers with clever, humorous dialogue (keep in mind, he also
wrote the screenplay for the comedy, A Shot In The Dark). Or put
another way, he’s a humorous, clever writer who puts out eloquent novels
that catch the readers off guard by being thought provoking. I'd say
both are true. He just happened to author a chart topping novel of
horror that eclipsed everything before, or since, in his bibliography.
However, The Ninth Configuration remains perhaps a more
intriguing read, and worth exploration by those who haven't experienced
it. As well, for those of us who are film buffs, sprinkled throughout,
the author references classic movie moments and dialogue within this
novel. A few years after its publication, William Peter Blatty would pen
and direct its film adaptation in 1980. Not surprisingly, it has
developed a strong cult following, and many believe the story is more
immersive on the screen (consider me in both groups). The 1978 novel is a
svelte 135-page work, and next year TNC will be re-released by
Centipede Press as a new edition. Purportedly, it will combine both
novels and will include a long essay by film scholar Mark Kermode in a
292-page hardcover. So on this Friday, The Ninth Configuration is not forgotten (at least, by me anyways).

Monday, May 21, 2018

Megan came out for two days. It was nice to have her around although for too short a time. We saw a rather bad movie, she installed Roku for us so we could get Filmstruck on our TV, we celebrated Josh and Julie's 23rd anniversary, went out for three good restaurant meals and ate Arab food at home. We found a terrific new takeout place in a gas station. Am still hunting for a book to read.

Megan will shoot the pilot for DARE ME in August / Sept. Her new book GIVE ME YOUR HAND has been purchased by AMC and YOU WILL KNOW ME by Marti Noxon so lots of excitement for Megan.

Finished watching SAFE on Netflix and found it disappointing. Hate it when too much comes out at the end. Although I thought there was some nice moments and good acting.

Friday, May 18, 2018

Crumley’s detective hero/antihero is C.W. Sughrue,is a war veteran who
handles low-level P.I. jobs like spying on wayward spouses for divorce
cases or locating deadbeats for bill collectors. While tracking down a troublesome author named Trahearne for the man’s ex-wife, Sughrue takes on a second job locating a missing daughter.
Tracking down Betty Sue is the main plot point that drives the novel
forward, but it’s Trahearne, that makes the
novel fun to read. When the two men strike up an odd friendship and
Sughrue’s hired to find Betty Sue, Trahearne cajoles Sughrue into
letting him tag along.
Sughrue
often takes a backseat to both Traherne and to the beer-swilling bulldog Fireball.
The real star of the book, however, is the prose, the setting, the atmosphere. Lots of fun.

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Deborah Kerr and Robert Donat play two naive people who marry without much in common. The war breaks out and both of them enlist. (She in the Waves). Their wartime service changes them into more independent people and also adults. When the war ends, both are convinced their marriage is over based on what they know about their partner.

Alexander Korda directed this in 1945. It is also called PERFECT STRANGERS. It was quite a decent little film and treated a serious subject in a respectful way. It is the kind of movie you might like if you stumble on it, but perhaps not the sort you would rent on Amazon.

Monday, May 14, 2018

RBG, the biopic of Ruth Bader Ginsberg, which was more like a fan letter than any sort of critical study, but so what. Maybe she deserves it when you go through her accomplishments. She is certainly a role model for many young women. And managed to have a loving marriage too.

Enjoying THE LAST GOOD KISS by James Crumley and MAD MEN CAROUSEL by Matt Zoller Seitz as I rewatch seven seasons of MAD MEN. Yes, it holds up very well. And it seems even more relevant today than three years ago.

Sorry the series ATLANTA is over for the year. Each episode was special, different, sad. Donald Glover is a genius.

Finished my story for the Lawrence Block antho. Hope he likes it. And thanks to Jeff for reading it for me.

Incessant rain makes for green grass. But it also makes for incessant rain.

Sunday, May 13, 2018

Friday, May 11, 2018

I am a big Larry Watson fan and LET HIM GO did not disappoint. It was a
great followup to books like WHITE CROSSES and MONTANA: 1948.

After their adult son is killed
in an accident, his widowed wife marries again and leaves the
Blackledge's home to go with her new husband to Montana. She takes their
grandson with her, of course, and therein lies the problem.

"With you or without you," Margaret Blackledge insists, and at these words George knows his only choice is to follow her.

George takes to the road with
Margaret by his side, tracking down the Weboy clan quickly. When Margaret tries to
convince Lorna to return home to North Dakota, bringing little Jimmy
with her, the Blackledges find themselves mixed up with the entire Weboy
clan, a horrific family determined not to give the boy up without a
fight. It's more about possession than love with a family like this.

This slim volume contains a
heart-pounding story, unforgettable characters, terrific atmosphere and
some of the most beautiful prose you will ever read. I liked it almost
as much as MONTANA: 1948, making it still one of my favorite books. Oh,
to write like Mr. Watson.

Monday, May 07, 2018

Happy that my son stopped over for a surprise dinner the other night. And also happy he takes such pleasure in helping coach Kevin's team. I am sure he enjoys it as much if not more than Kevin. We got to a game this week and was amazed at how well these kids play.

It was a week of cancelled appointments due to power outages, which makes me tense. But hopefully this week will take care of some of them.

I think I have a satisfactory conclusion to the story I have been working on. It's the longest short story I have written in years at almost 7000 words. I managed to find a small crime of sorts to anchor it but some stories just don't lend themselves to a major crime.

It is hard to explain the writing process if you don't write. But somehow I ended up writing a story about a minister and his wife. It just happens sometimes. These characters get into your head and you have to follow their path.

Enjoyed my Thursday ladies. We mostly talk about politics and health issues. Or where the best place to buy various items. Nothing profound but very therapeutic. We only talk for an hour.

Haven't been able to land on a good book lately. The Rendell one spoiled me for the next four I have tried. And I do not like this trend of opening a book with the introduction of a dozen characters coming to a house for a holiday or some other purpose. I like my characters introduced in small measures.

We saw TULLY, which was a puzzlement to me. And the sound quality was either bad or I am growing more deaf. Also more and more movies seem to be very dark. Literally. Maybe I am also going blind. But we saw it with friends so enjoyed the camaraderie. Nice to have friends that enjoy so many of the same things: books, movies, baseball, politics, TV, restaurants.

Friday, May 04, 2018

This was the first Sam McCain book I read and what a
pleasure it was. All of Ed Gorman's novels are a treat to read. You
enter a world that is mostly filled with benevolent, well-drawn
non-stereotypical characters.
And then Ed throws in the monkey
wrenches that set that peaceful Iowa world on its ear. There is murder
and mayhem but you are never offended. We have a gentleman here.
And then he sets things right in a humane and compelling way.

Especially
fun for me were the sixties touchstones-and I really admired the way he
caught it on the cusp of a new era-and captured it without overplaying
its markers. Sam McCain feels young, vibrant and on the edge of
adulthood himself.

What I liked most about Ed's books is his
obvious admiration and enjoyment of women. This is unusual in the books I
read. His women are rarely shrews or nags or harpies. All of them seem
like a romance or an adventure is just within their grasp--young and
old.

My very favorite Gorman book is SLEEPING DOGS, but this is right up there. They all are.

Thursday, May 03, 2018

Gerald Candless is a famous British writer who dies suddenly much to the sorrow of his daughters and puzzlement of his wife. Their marriage has always been odd to say the least. She has functioned more as a typist and sometimes muse than a wife. However the girls adore him and the oldest decides to write a biography about him.

This proves to be a difficult task as there are many blind alleys in his life. Is he even Gerald Candless?

And the reader is left with mysteries of her own at the book's end. Why did a man so mistreated by society mistreat his wife. Why did he undermine his daughter's relationship with their mother. Yes, we feel sorry for Gerald, but we also loathe many things about him.

This is a complex, complicated book, which I could not put down. Rendell does a wonderful job of showing what life was like in various time periods. Not one character is a cliche. Truly a terrific book. And she integrates his writing wonderfully into both his life and that of his wife's.

Tuesday, May 01, 2018

A very strange little film that was too violent for our tastes. A hitman that uses a hammer as a weapon? Phoenix does a decent job of making this guy somewhat sympathetic. He has been the victim of violence as a child and violence as a soldier. And he is tender toward his mother and toward a young girl he rescues. There are some amazing scenes but all in all, it was just too bleak for the bleak world we live in. Phoenix does himself no favors by the scripts he chooses to make. And the mumbling does get old.

About Me

Patricia Abbott is the author of more than 125 stories that have appeared online, in print journals and in various anthologies. She is the author of two print novels CONCRETE ANGEL (2015) and SHOT IN DETROIT (2016)(Polis Books). CONCRETE ANGEL was nominated for an Anthony and Macavity Award in 2016. SHOT IN DETROIT was nominated for an Edgar Award and an Anthony Award in 2017. A collection of her stories I BRING SORROW AND OTHER STORIES OF TRANSGRESSION will appear in 2018.